Not sure if it’s Coffee Mustafa or Coffee Haifa or Cafe Mustafa but it has one of the best coffee I have every tasted in the world. I missed National Coffee Day yesterday but I hope to make it up.
Coffee Mustafa is located in the Wadi Nisnas district in Haifa, Israel. All around Wadi Nisnas are many shops with so many delicious treats. You’ll find sweet treats, falafel (again, one of the best I’ve ever had in the world), and a great place for groceries.
Wadi Nisnas is a mixed Arab, Jewish, and Christian neighborhood in Haifa, Israel. One of the things I really enjoyed about this area are the Christmas decorations. Yes, Christmas. The streets are lit with lights and many stores sell ornaments for Christmas trees.
Back to the coffee. While walking down winding streets of Wadi Nisnas, there is a store that sells coffee and other items. When you walk into the store which can hold about 5 or 6 people, you’ll find Mustafa grinding coffee and mixing in a precise measurement of cardamom. To the naked eye, it might look like he is just tossing in random amounts of cardamom.
The aroma of cardamom fills the room along with the smell of freshly roasted arab coffee. I still have about half a pound of this coffee left and I am only dreaming of heading back there to get another pound.
For those of you who are new to this style of coffee, be warned that you will not use a filter and you will taste grounds at the end. Also, don’t add milk or sugar. We’ll, I’m sure you can but it takes away from this amazing coffee
How to brew?
The ratio of coffee to water will be 1 teaspoon and 1 oz of water. This roughly means about 8 teaspoons to 1 cup of water.
Take the coffee and measure out 8 teaspoons and place in a small pot. Add 1 cup of water. Put over the stove and bring to a boil and quickly remove it. Let it steep for about 2 minutes. Pour in a cup and serve.
The temperature of the water should be about 65 degrees Celsius or about 150 degrees Fahrenheit. I have tested 60 degrees Celsius and I have tested 70 degrees Celsius and I found that 65 degrees does not burn the coffee and it also brings out the flavor and caffeine.
The next time you’re in Haifa, check out Coffee Mustafa. Ask a local and I’m sure they will point you in the right direction.
Coffee Mustafa
Wadi St 19, Haifa, Israel
